HEPHÆSTIO

HEPHÆSTIO, one of the chief favourites of Alexander the Great, was the son of Amyntor of Pella, the capital of Macedonia. He accompanied Alexander in his expedition against the Persians; and yet it is not a little surprising that he held no military command till after the battle of Arbela, B. C. 331, when he was appointed leader of a squadron of horse. (Arrian, iii. 15.) From this time his advancement to superior command was rapid, for we find him next year, B. C. 330, in the expedition against the

Parthians and Hyrcanians, hipparchos, or colonel, of a regiment. (iii. 27.) In the campaign against the inhabitants of Sogdiana, he was appointed to the command of a brigade, and was then sent with Perdicas into the country of Peucelastis, on the banks of the Indus, where he took the chief town. (iv. 16, 22, 23.) After the battle in which Porus was defeated on the banks of the Hydaspes, B. C. 327, Hephæstio was sent with a body of troops against another Porus, who reigned over the country along the banks of the Hydaspes. (v. 21; Diodor. xvii. 21.) As a reward for his services, he received from his royal friend Drypetis, the daughter of Darius, last king of Persia. (Arian, vii. 4.) But he did not long survive the successful termination of Alexander's exploits; for being taken ill at Ecbatana, where all had assembled to return thanks to the gods with more than ordinary solemnity for their success, Hephæstio suddenly died, to the inconsolable grief of Alexander. (vii. 14; Diodor. Sic. xvii. 114, 115.)